Couple makes wedding a time for giving back

Weddings can be lavish affairs. But the nuptials for Andre and Rachel Douglas began with a gathering that included painting, cleaning and gardening.

Prior to the ceremony, the wedding party donned jeans and gloves for a day of giving back at the Fort Lauderdale Independent Training and Education Center. Known as FLITE, it provides resources to youth aging out of the foster care system.

About 20 guests volunteered. Dressed in themed T-shirts that read “Stronger Together,” the bride’s side wore pink. The groom and his court dressed in navy blue.

“We knew from the moment we started planning our wedding that we wanted to spend our time making a difference together,” said Andre Douglas. “To be able to share this moment with our strong network of family and friends is an experience we will never forget.”

In addition to hands-on contributions, the pair who lives in Washington, D.C. requested donations in lieu of gifts. Their fundraising brought in $1,350 for the center.

“It’s the least we could do to help these young adults be successful,” Rachel Douglas said. “FLITE is a vital resource.”

Luis Rosario is a longtime friend of the groom and director of development at FLITE.

Many of the youth have to “fend for themselves” without any adult support when they turn18, he said. They can fall prey to crime or human trafficking.

Or it may be as simple as not knowing how to navigate a rental agreement. Twenty-five percent of the youth that age out of foster care become homeless within one year.

“It’s very scary,” Rosario said. “This is that pivotal moment where they turn left or right.”

To provide guidance, FLITE teams target three areas: housing, education and employment.

The housing crew acts as a liaison between landlords and youth. And FLITE has sourced 250 affordable housing units in Broward.

“For education, we have an inhouse GED-prep program,” Rosairo said. Youth who want to pursue college can get assistance with applications.

FLITE coordinates with other local agencies as to not waste resources. For example, its employment staff partners with Career Source Broward.

“It’s very important work,” Rosairo said. He hopes other couples tying the knot will add service to their festivities and turn volunteering into a wedding trend.

“We highly recommend others get involved in similar ways,” Andre Douglas said.